Lori Nelson
Biography
Lori Nelson was an American actress and model born Dixie Kay Nelson in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on August 15, 1933. She lived until August 23, 2020. Active mostly in the 1950s and early 1960s, she began performing as a child by dancing and winning a Little Miss America title. After experiencing unsuccessful early auditions, she secured her first film role as Marjie Baile in the 1952 film Bend of the River. Her career largely consisted of roles in 1950s B-movies. She appeared in the television series How to Marry a Millionaire between 1957 and 1959, costarring with Barbara Eden. Her other acting credits include roles in Tales of Wells Fargo, Wanted: Dead or Alive, and The Naked Monster.
Career overview
Lori Nelson, born Dixie Kay Nelson on August 15, 1933, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was an American actress and model who was mostly active in the 1950s and early 1960s. Beginning her performance background at a young age, she danced and won a Little Miss America title. After facing unsuccessful early auditions, she secured her first role as Marjie Baile in the 1952 film Bend of the River.
Throughout her career, Nelson took on large roles primarily in 1950s B-movies. On television, she costarred with Barbara Eden in the series How to Marry a Millionaire, which ran from 1957 to 1959. Additionally, she had a well-remembered role as Mara, the mayor's daughter, opposite Van Johnson in a 1957 made-for-TV musical film. Her acting credits also include appearances in Tales of Wells Fargo and Wanted: Dead or Alive. Later in her career, she acted sparingly, with a later appearance in The Naked Monster.
Nelson passed away on August 23, 2020, at the age of 87.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
37 titles- Monster Madness: Mutants, Space Invaders, and Drive-Ins (2014) as Self
- The Naked Monster (2005) as Dr. Helen Dobson
- Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle (2000) as Self
- Mom, Can I Keep Her? (1998) as Stephanie
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Secret Sins of the Father (1994) as Mrs. Lieber
- Family Affair (1966)
- Lock-Up (1959)
- Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958) as White Antelope aka Doris Albright
- The Texan (1958)
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Ellen Conway
- How to Marry a Millionaire (1957)
- Untamed Youth (1957) as Jane Lowe
- The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957) as Mara
- Outlaw's Son (1957) as Lila Costain
- Pardners (1956) as Carol Kingsley
- Hot Rod Girl (1956) as Lisa Vernon
- Mohawk (1956) as Cynthia Stanhope
- The Millionaire (1955) as Lorraine Daggett
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955)
- Revenge of the Creature (1955) as Helen Dobson
- Underwater! (1955) as Gloria
- I Died a Thousand Times (1955) as Velma
- Sincerely Yours (1955) as Sarah Cosgrove
- Day the World Ended (1955) as Louise Madison
- Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955) as Rosie Kettle
- Climax! (1954)
- Climax! (1954) as Mary
- Destry (1954) as Martha Phillips
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Sylvia
- All I Desire (1953) as Lily Murdoch
- The All American (1953) as Sharon Wallace
- Walking My Baby Back Home (1953) as Claire
- Tumbleweed (1953) as Laura Saunders
- Bend of the River (1952) as Marjie Baile
- Francis Goes to West Point (1952) as Barbara Atwood
- Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952) as Rosie Kettle
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lori Nelson best known for?
Lori Nelson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mom, Can I Keep Her? (1998), Poseidon (2006), Lock-Up (1959), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958).
When and where was Lori Nelson born?
Lori Nelson was born on August 15, 1933 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. They passed away on August 23, 2020.
How many credits does Lori Nelson have?
Lori Nelson has accumulated over 37 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1952 to 2014.
What is Lori Nelson's background in cinema and television?
Lori Nelson was an American actress and model born Dixie Kay Nelson in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on August 15, 1933. She lived until August 23, 2020. Active mostly in the 1950s and early 1960s, she began performing as a child by dancing and winning a Little Miss America title. After experiencing unsuccessful early audition...
Lori Nelson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958) as White Antelope aka Doris Albright — aged about 24
- All I Desire (1953) as Lily Murdoch — aged about 19
- Bend of the River (1952) as Marjie Baile — aged about 18
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Sylvia — aged about 19
- Family Affair (1966) — aged about 32
- Pardners (1956) as Carol Kingsley — aged about 22
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